Well, not the Mets, but according to Adam Rubin, Four Mets out of minor-league options
When players’ performances in spring training are comparable, so many times the competition is won by the player who is out of minor-league options – meaning the player who could not be sent to the minors until he cleared waivers.
There are four fringe players in camp who are on the 40-man roster and out of options: Fernando Nieve, Nelson Figueroa, Pat Misch and Anderson Hernandez.
So, if you believe the Mets care about keeping pitching depth, you’d assume that either Nieve, Figueroa or Misch will win the 5th starter position. Of course, you have to take into account a player’s recent performance, likelihood to be claimed off waivers and potential. Niese has been called up in 08 and 09, so the Mets can option him to the minors this season, but not next.
8 comments
jaydh
2/12/2010-5:25pm at 5:25 pm (UTC -4)
I would keep Niese in AAA unless he blows people away. The 5th spot should be between Nieve and Misch. Wish we still had Garcia.
Kingman 26
2/12/2010-5:42pm at 5:42 pm (UTC -4)
Ah, this is good news, as Figgy and Misch are almost surely gone.
Unless Niese is fantastic, Nieve wins the spot, Niese conitnues to gain confidence by dominating AAA, and Niese comes up midseason in the highly unlikely event that one of the Axis of Uncertainly of Pelf/Ollie/Maine fails to excel.
trs86
2/12/2010-6:13pm at 6:13 pm (UTC -4)
Settle down there happy boy.
I still think Misch makes the team as a Long-reliever/spot starter. He has decent splits as a reliever, he’s not old and he is cheap. (Of course he is the only other LHRP too!) So factoring in mainly what is in parentheses I think he makes the team.
Figgy, they will just release him if need be and he will end up right back in our AAA. Just like they have 50 other times.
So in other words, bye bye AHern. Everyone else I still expect to be with the Mets.
Kingman 26
2/12/2010-6:31pm at 6:31 pm (UTC -4)
LOL!
Yeah you may be right. I just don’t want Figgy around.
I really have to admit, I like Pelf and Maine a lot, and I even have a soft spot for Ollie. I would really and truly like to see them succeed.
trs86
2/12/2010-6:34pm at 6:34 pm (UTC -4)
I like having Figgy around, just north of the real Mets.
Kingman 26
2/12/2010-6:42pm at 6:42 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, that works for me! Buffalo needs a number one starter too, and I definitely love Figgy in that role.
But if Takahashi is any good, don’t you think he and Pedro are enough LHs out of the pen?
trs86
2/12/2010-8:13pm at 8:13 pm (UTC -4)
I think I read that like his predecessor, Takawhatever, he is not very effective against LHP. Especially because of his “screwball”. I have also read he is not a great candidate for the pen.
metsfan4decades
2/12/2010-10:54pm at 10:54 pm (UTC -4)
Ha! I think you and I, Kingman, were probably the only two who liked the Ollie signing and are still holding out hope he’ll give us at least 2/3′s worth of that contract.
I actually think Figgy has his worth. I believe Real is right also. He’ll not make the team, be released and wind up back in the Mets AAA, making an appearance or two when we need a spot starter b/c of a double header, or something like that.
Here’s hoping it’s NOT b/c of injuries…..